We also propose to amend our CPNI rules to require wireless carriers to develop procedures for responding to failed authentication attempts and to notify customers immediately of any requests for SIM changes. 'We propose to prohibit wireless carriers from effectuating a SIM swap unless the carrier uses a secure method of authenticating its customer. 'We believe that our CPNI and number porting rules are ripe for updates that could help prevent SIM swapping and port-out fraud,' the FCC wrote of its plan to probe the topic.

After all, mobile carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon ultimately hold the keys to their customers' phone accounts, and texting is widely used as the second factor in two-factor authentication procedures to secure everything from social media handles to bank accounts. They said they contacted customer service representatives from Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile – and, in all 30 cases, were able to successfully move phone numbers to new SIM cards.Īs a result, the FCC earlier this year said it would probe the issue to see whether it needs to issue new rules to prevent SIM swapping. That's likely a tacit nod to a recent massive hack into T-Mobile's systems.īut concerns over SIM swap fraud came to a head last year when researchers at Princeton University reported the results of their own SIM swap attempts. 'In addition, recent data breaches have exposed customer information that could potentially make it easier to pull off these kinds of attacks.' 'The FCC has received numerous complaints from consumers who have suffered significant distress, inconvenience and financial harm as a result of SIM swapping and port-out fraud,' the agency wrote earlier this year.

Indeed, there are a variety of reports of hackers using the practice to steal hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency, among other illicit activities. Of course, Twitter's Dorsey isn't the only victim of a SIM swapping hack attack. According to a detailed Wired report, he was the victim of a SIM swap that involved hackers getting hold of his mobile phone account and then using it to access his other accounts, including his Twitter account.

In 2019, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted that 'nazi germany did nothing wrong.'

Prevent sim card hack